The Grenada gazette., 1887-09-24

! -IMood loves, and l notice that Aunt
Iayinia has put away her delicate en-
broideries, and busies herself In knit
! ting mittens which are a fit matcn ior
Aunt Nancy's famous stockings. Aunt
Nancy herself observes this at last
and asks:
"Wbere il YOUR embroidery. La
yinia? Is the cushion hnished H.
resdy? :.
Aunt Layinia looks up. and were 1t
mt 40 wild fancy could almost inn
opiue that there is a glimmer OF tears
in hereyes.
1T worries you," she says, gently.
"and life may be short for either or
both Of us. What use is there in vast
ing what is left Of it in follies. or cm-
bittering it -,y useless quarrels!"
Aunt Nancy looks At her hard TOR "
moment 1t seems as If a question
were upon her lips. but ii so. she bites
it OF short and turns away without
reply.
Somehow life at the cottage has
grown so quiet that it seems almost
sad. What has come over Aunt
Nancy and Aunt Lavinia ! can not
tell. Aunt Nancy no longer pooh
hoos Aunt Lavinia's little ailments in
her old airy fashion. but watches
over aud coddles her to an
oxtent which even ! think
rather absurd. She may sit or lie
all day, If she will. without being in
cessantly routed out to take the exer-
else she loathes, but which Aunt
Nancy has always declared to be abso-
lutely essential to every reasonable be-
ing Her favorite Dishes little dain-
ties and kickshaws, which Aunt Nancy
scorns. appear on the table at every
meal. Once Aunt Lavinis would have
reveled in them. but now she seems
to find them strangely tasteless and in
sipid.
care they not well-cooked?' asks
Aunt Nancy, Watching her wistfully.
And Aunt Lavinia rouses herself to an
appearance Of keen enjoyment, which
does not for a moment impose upon
Aunt Nancy or me.
There is less apparent change In
Aunt Lavinia' demeanor toward Aunt
Nancy. for she was always the milder
of the two and seldom the aggressor in
their wrangles. The principal differ
ence seems to me to consist in csr-
tain timidity and nervousness which
have grown upon her Every sudden
sound makes her start, and her eyes
have wistful, apprehensive look. as
if she feared something, she scarcely
knew what For the first time she vol
unteers to accompany Aunt Nancy in
her walks nay. even entreats to
be allowed to do so. When Aunt
Nancy goes out without her. Aunt
Lavinia knows no peace until her re-
turn. She follows her about the house
until Aunt Nancy turns upon her with
what is refreshingly like an outburst
Of her old petulance "For Heavens
sake, Lavinia, what do you mean by
trotting at my heels like pet dog"
But before Aunt Lavinia can reply,
Aunt Nancy's petulance has died away
as suddenly as 1t arose. and she cries:
"Oh. forgive me, Lavinia. Life is too
short for quarrels and fault finding It
has been all my fault in the past, I
know, but if there is still time before
us both Twill do better-indeed. indeed
will"
Aunt Nancy's penitent words melt
Aunt Lavinia to sudden and most un-
expected tears.
ut has not been all your fault,
Nancy. know that have been slow
and stupid, and easily put out. Oh. if
the Lord will but spare us long enough
to show the love that has always boon
in both our hearts. for all our hateful
ways!"
As for me. look on in unbounded
amazement. For moment I forget
even my private worries at sight of
these new and most unexpected de-
velopmcnts. Only for moment
though, for Aunt Nancy's next words
bring them all back to my mind.
"There is another thing in which
you were right and l wrong. Lavinia.
Life is too short for lasting resent
ments. and this child's life must not be
spoiled because of IA mistake which |
was made long before she was born.
If you can forgive. surely can do so.
too Write to your Ralph, Rosie, and
tell him to come as soon as he can.
No one knows how short time may be |
for one or both of us, and l should
like to tell him myself that the past is
over, and the future shall be as you
ind he will"
Aunt Nancy's words have nearly
taken my breath away, but l gather |
my senses sufficiently to reply: Ralph |
must be here in Camford, Aunt Nancy,
but can not tell where. only hear
him ut night, and in the daytime he
neither comes nor sends any message,
though have been expecting him all
the tinn ~